2023 Sea Otter Classic - Shimano Link Glide, Auto Shift, Free Shift test - bike auto transmission

Shimano Link Glide with Shimano EP8 and EP801 - Automatic bike shifting with Auto Shift and shift matching with Free Shift for automatic bike transmission
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emtb options at Competitive Cyclist - alnk.to/5Q2o8Qb

[@m3drivr]

Cool tech! If it takes off, I see 15-20K e-bikes on the horizon Francis! At that price point, I’m off the bandwagon. At some point, one must rationalize “What do you really need to have fun?”

[@EMTBReview]

I don’t think this will be more expensive than existing Xtr. It’s only made for xt and mass consuner e-bikes are the core audience imho

[@vasipro]

@@EMTBReview If this will get affordable with time, it is great.

[@50whatnomadtravelnursemtb5]

Hmm..sounds like grinding to me..and I agree some people have deep pockets(hint hint) and this tech is too expensive. Nothing wrong with change but the prices have gotten too much.

[@EMTBReview]

These are very tough shifts. The drivetrain is made for it though.

[@ElevatedVehicles]

It really did sound bad to me too. Didn't sound smooth at all

[@emtbtrailrider539]

Great explanation

[@EMTBReview]

Thank you. It is a mind-bender and it took me a while to understand

[@tomcagle5324]

I wanna leave like it as an E-mtber, but I'm afraid Shimano AI will take over and eventually try to destroy me for just thinking about the new UDH SRAM AXS in near future!🫣😁 Plus, as a non-racer, where's the fun in manually missing my setup and slowly mastering my learning curve. 😉 I do like the shifting under load of course...but won't a gearbox or lighter weight 7-8 spd e-IGH do the same absent a rear mech be better? It would have been nice to see Shimano perfect an Emtb, e-version of the Nexus.🤔

[@EMTBReview]

I think this will be similar to auto transmissions in cars, eventually. They'll take over the mass market and high performance. Purists who want to be more involved with the experience will opt for manual transmission. Shifting under load will happen in many forms. We'll get a clutch someday to release the load during shift. Nexus won't really take off for mtb since it's heavy. But mid drive transmission by the bottom bracket will be in our future. It'll integrate with the motors too IMHO

[@tomcagle5324]

@@EMTBReview agreed on manual shifting, tech climbing might be more efficient with a skilled practitioner. But there exist gearbox motors of course and IGH: check out the light-weight Kindernay VII. Claims that unsprung mass might be less than both old AXS (I have GX) and new UDH Axis. The KVII does have a small chain tensioner and is supposedly updating to lighter e-shifter that runs of the motor battery soon🤞

[@tomcagle5324]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aH6maZyPZclmY80

[@tomcagle5324]

One person has been running it on a full-powered E-mtb SC Heckler for a few years. If they go e-shifting I'd be a player at $1200-1300ish.😁🍻

[@pluc99-pl99]

I've been trying the auto shift for the past few weeks but remain underwhelmed. It upshifts ok when I'm going downhill and downshifts when I brake or stop; so far so good (but do I really need it?). When, at the end of a downhill, I start going uphill it remains in the high gear and I always end up manually shifting. I've tried tweaking the settings but to no significant difference. The only benefit I am seeing is an automatic downshift when I would otherwise be stuck in a high gear when stopped; that hardly ever happens to me. On the bike that I just ordered the auto shift would have cost an additional US $1000. It's not worth it, the cost to benefit isn't there.

[@EMTBReview]

Yeah, a year since I tried it, no one seems to use it or spec it. Might be a novelty, stepping-stone technology.

[@halloweennr2]

Thx Frank! But no thx for me. I'll wait for the revolution. For example it will shift automatic so that you wil maintain the cadans of 80 a 90...

[@EMTBReview]

Oh it does that already. Pedaling cadence is the key shift point parameter. Its adjustable too

[@HelloHello-gv2gg]

Looks great! What bikes is it coming on and when?

[@HelloHello-gv2gg]

This is what really matters at this point!

[@EMTBReview]

Orbea is first in line we hear. But many, many are coming.

[@teabagNBG]

this is the 11 gear right? i got a orbea rise m20 2023 and i plan on upgrading to di1 linkglide 11x...

[@EMTBReview]

Correct. This is 11 speed.

[@Zetler]

Will this make the Shimano rattle even louder?

[@EMTBReview]

So in this version of the motor called EP801... the rattle is gone.

[@DatingElevated]

Why does it sound so bad? The gears are crunching and grinding. Yikes

[@ElevatedVehicles]

Gears sound horrible... Crunching

[@EMTBReview]

With no clutch and with shifting under full power at low speed, that is expected. They key is that if this drivetrain can survive it.

[@ElevatedVehicles]

@@EMTBReview ah yes fair point